Source: Iran Assembled Nuclear Devices

Two Uranium Enrichment Units Built In Underground Complex, Officials Say

(AP)  Technicians have assembled two small uranium enrichment units at Iran's underground Natanz complex, diplomats and officials said Monday. The move underscored Tehran's defiance of a U.N. Security Council ban on the program, which could be used to create nuclear arms.

Speaking separately — and demanding anonymity because their information was confidential — a diplomat accredited to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency and a U.S. official said that two separate "cascades" of 164 centrifuges each had been set up in recent days.

The likely next step was "dry testing" — running the linkups without uranium gas inside — to be followed by spinning and re-spinning the gas. The process, known as enrichment, can be used to fuel nuclear power plants. But at higher levels of enrichment the material can be used in the fissile core of nuclear warheads.

The news had been widely expected. Both the Iranian leadership and the Vienna-based IAEA, which is the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency, had said recently that Tehran would start assembling the machines this month.

Comments last week by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad signaled that Iran would begin the installation before Feb. 11 — the final day of nationwide celebrations in memory of the 1979 Islamic revolution. He has also called people to the streets that day to show support for the nuclear program.

In another sign that Tehran was forging ahead with plans to create a large-scale "pilot plant" — 3,000 centrifuges running in series — U.N. officials late last week told the AP that that piping, cables, control panels and air conditioning systems had been installed at Natanz to support such a number of machines.

Still, with Tehran under U.N. sanctions because of its refusal to give up the program, any decision by Iran to start assembling the so-called "cascades" ups the ante in Tehran's confrontation with the United States and other nations that believe it is trying to make nuclear weapons.

Iran says it wants to use the technology to generate nuclear power, but the U.S. and other nations believe Iran is intent on using the process to develop weapons.

A 3,000-centrifuge operation — the cornerstone of what the Iranians say will be a large-scale complex of 54,000 centrifuges — could be used to produce fissile material for two bombs a year.

IAEA officials had no comment. A U.N. official familiar with the agency's probe of Tehran's nuclear program said, however, that when IAEA inspectors last visited Natanz last week, no cascades had been assembled.

The U.S. State Department did not confirm or deny the reports Monday, saying only that it would push for "incremental" U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran if Tehran authorities continue to ignore council demands for suspension of the country's uranium enrichment program.

Spokesman Sean McCormack said that Iran appears to be continuing "down the path of isolation."

The U.N. Security Council, which last month agreed on limited sanctions targeting people and programs linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs, has threatened to impose further sanctions on Iran later this month if it continues to refuse to roll back its program.

Even if Tehran successfully installs 3,000 centrifuges, experts estimate it would still take several years for all of them to be running smoothly.

There has been speculation Tehran might be content to install several cascades and then temporarily freeze its activities at Natanz, hoping to be able to negotiate with a strengthened hand.

But a senior diplomat who represents his country at the IAEA said recent conversations with Iranian officials showed no signs of such a strategy.

"We declared we're going to have 3,000 and we are going to have 3,000," he said, paraphrasing an Iranian official on Tehran's plans for Natanz this year.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank, last week estimated that Iran was two to three years away from having the capacity to build a nuclear weapon. The head of U.S. national intelligence, John Negroponte, has spoken of a four-year period.

Even before starting subterranean work, Iran already had two experimental cascades of 164 centrifuges each, as well as several partially assembled cascades, all above ground at Natanz. They have been the subject or regular inspections by IAEA teams, although their authority has been restricted for a year, since Tehran withdrew broader inspecting rights after its nuclear file was referred to the U.N. Security Council.

[fascistusa]

GOVERNMENT PROPOGANDA.

THE WHOLE STORY IS A LIE.

THE FASCIST LORD BUSH & KING CHENEY REGIME WANTS TO INVADE IRAN.

THIS IS NOT MY GOVERNMENT!!!

[stevex47]

fascist guy,
Not going to agree with you, but, based on their last nuclear "intelligence" with Iraq, this info needs to be scrutinized. As Mulder would say, "the truth is out there"

[tuckerndfw]

hahahahahahahaha....

These are the SAME LIARS responsible for the US being bogged down in Iraq.

It is irresponsible journalism to give these claims any credence whatsoever.

The headline should read, "War Profiteers continue exploiting idiot Americans."

[stevex47]

Oh, and as a follow up for the neoconvict nut-jobs...
Please dont start another war until the true facts are in. Alright?

[cbs_oliver]

Centrifuges are NOT NUCLEAR DEVICES!

My smoke detector is a nuclear device, but centrifuges are not nuclear devices!

Your writer and editors get a F- in modern science.

Centrifuges are used to separate chemicals by mass and can be used to separate enriched uranium (5%) from depleted uranium so that the enriched uranium can be used to run nuclear reactors. Nuclear materials are enriched around the world by companies and governments to provide the fuel for nuclear reactors everywhere.

It is necessary to do this to fuel nuclear reactors. Or else buy nuclear fuel from somebody else who does it.

A nation may find it desireable to make their own fuel if they have enemies who are prone to interfere with their trade.

Of course they could also work to extract almost pure enriched uranium (90%) from depleted uranium with much less yield (centrefuges just separate it - they don't make it). Then I guess they could make some primative nuclear bombs.

But that doesn't seem particularly beneficial to Iran - considering all things.

These stories seem to seek to induce popular fear whish can be used by politicians and military who really see no reason to be afraid themselves.

[cbs_oliver]

Correction:

Change: "Of course they could also work to extract almost pure enriched uranium (90%) from depleted uranium with much less yield (centrefuges just separate it - they don't make it)."

To:

Of course they could also work to extract almost pure enriched uranium (90%) with much less yield (centrefuges just separate it - they don't make it).

[notblue]

Typical of the left here in these CBS comment areas. The terms neocon, nazi, etc. etc. A person could go to almost any article and read the same self righteous condescending dribble. Anyone not in goosestep with the left wing ideology of retreat from the world is ganged up on and villified. This is America and it's ok to have the opinion that this whole terror war thing is some grand conspiracy perpetrated by the hated Bush and his cronies to make corporate America and the oil industry rich. But it's not ok to reject true concerns by some citizens that think the threat is real. The latter opinion does not immediatley equate to a lack of intelligence or naivity as one would beleieve listening to most comments here at CBS. In fact history may proove that these radical Islamists are every bit as dangerous as some on the right suspect. Hopefully we will never find out "the hard way". But it appears to me that there is nothing wrong with siding on the cautious side when it comes to countries like Iran that have stated publically that they would like to wipe countries and races of tha map.

[dogsoul]

Lie huh? Um, so far Iran's not denying anything except their intent - i.e. Iran's saying, yep... we're proceeding with our plans to build nuclear reactors - they're just denying any intent toward building nuclear weaponry.

I say if they end up making nuclear bombs - let Israel, China & Russia deal with them... they don't want Iran to have nukes either - plus, those countries don't have to deal with liberal Americans who would just lend their support to the Iranian gov't anyway...

[pechinrules]

The us should make the entire area a parking lot before it gets any worse. ONE BIG PARKING LOT

[cbs_oliver]

While it makes sense to be cautious it is generally not good to kill people because of fearful imaginings (bad dreams?).

Theoretical zero sum game calculations regularly lead to attrocities and crimes as well.

Moral considerations may yield useful guidence.

[rmsdm4]

Unfortunately 9/11 has been forgotten. It will ultimately take another disaster for Americans and the rest of the world to wake up to the fact that radical islam must be destroyed. It can't and won't be done politically. These subhuman murderers only understand one thing. Hopefully the next war we will allow the military to do its job and not let politicians(from both parties) castrate our commanding forces.

[tuckerndfw]

When the "international community" becomes as concerned over Israel's unregulated and officially undisclosed nuclear weapons, then we can move on to "suspected" nuclear programs.

Israelis are obviously extremely unstable, self-destructive people as a group, so their possession of nuclear weapons AND intercontinental ballistic missiles poses a far greater threat to the world than anyone else.

Maybe we should turn Israel into a parking lot before concerning ourself with lesser threats.

Demanding others remain "nuke free" while supporting Israel is the height of hypocrisy and incredibly bad foreign policy.

[pakaal]

"there is nothing wrong with siding on the cautious side when it comes to countries like Iran that have stated publically that they would like to wipe countries and races of tha map."

And caution would naturally dictate that we don't do what we did in Iraq - that is to say we don't prop up some out-of-date intel with hearsay from discredited individuals in order to mislead folks into a war, while shouting down cautious voices with the words "traitor" and "unAmerican".

Did you notice, notblue, that on this very same page there are voices saying "nuke the whole place into a parking lot". I assume you don't equate this lunatic fringe stance with "caution."

[notblue]

Tuckerndfw, your diatribe regarding the dangers of the Jewish state is radiculous at best. These people have a right to exist and have shown to be responsible citizens of the world. The fact they they have a nuclear arsenal and have not used it in the face of radicals that are hell bent on destroying them is a testament to there restraint and civility. On the other hand, how many of the Arab countries that sponsor and support terrorist organizations could be trusted with a nuclear device? The answer of course is none, the rhetoric spewed by the evil called radical Islam should never be allowed to obtain nukes not because it would be bad foreign policy but because it would surely equate to mean the destruction of innocent civilian lives on an unprecedented scale.

[fredgrad2000]

tuckerndfw -
ridiculous bud, just ridiculous...to equate Israel, a democracy and key ally; and a nation that has been under threat of annihilation since its birth in 1948, to Iran, a religiously fanatical dictatorship that publicly and PROUDLY proclaims its desire to destroy Israel and calls us the "great satan" - please note my misguided friend, that Israel has had these weapons for 2 decades and has never used them, even though its been at war multiple times since then; but that Iran would use its first 3 bombs it could produce to destroy Israel and the next one just might be carried by a brainwashed Hezbollah teenager into one of our cities!! The ONLY thing that might prevent that scenario is Israel having the counter-ability to nuke Iran!! That's the difference between Israel and Iran having nukes - you're just another misguided anti-Israeli trying to create moral equivalency between a democracy that would be at peace if its enemies allowed, if they laid their weapons down and made peace, and country that has been under seige since day 1 of its sovereignty; and Islamic fanatics (Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas) that would slaughter every living Israeli if Israel laid down its arms and didn't have its deterrents.

[tuckerndfw]

Israel is little more than a welfare leech and vassal of the US. Without US support, Israel would cease to exist.

Israel is the primary reason the US is currently throwing away billions of dollars in the Middle East, including the billions in bribes & welfare the US gives Egypt & Israel each year. And, as nearly as I can tell, it is money wasted since it provides zero return to US taxpayers.

If Israel cannot exist without continual violence and warfare against her neighbors, Israel needs to go away. No nation has an inherent "right to exist" and Israel is no exception.

Until the U.N., under US pressure, invented Israel in 1947, Israel did not exist and the world seemed to be much better for it.

When Israel ceases to exist, it will be a great day for world peace.

Finally, Pakistan is a nuclear power and Pakistan is a Muslim fundamentalist nation ruled by a military dictator who supported the Taliban and al qaida (and still does).

That clearly refutes lie about terrorist supporting Muslim nations cannot be trusted with nukes.

Israel's continued existence as a state is not worth one US dollar much less a US life.

[scouser691]

Bush muppets here conveniently forget the CIA overthrew democratically elected leader of Iran in 1953 and installed brutal Shah. Since the end of WWII U.S. has bombed or invaded over 20 countries, when it comes to sh*t stirring #1 America #2Israel #3Britain, Iran isn't even close

[dogsoul]

...of course Fred, but ya see - that's part of what it means to be a liberal; in order to show just how "open minded" you are - step one is to immediately side with the enemy against your allies, your own country - heck, even yourself as in the case of radical islam. That way, noone can ever say you're "oppressive" or "fascist" because the liberal can always say, hey - I was against us all along... That's why theirs is a bit of a bizzaro world where Bush is the terrorist, Israel is our enemy, Capitalism is evil, Communism/Socialism is good, Christianity is evil, Islam is peaceful, the list goes one... Of course, liberals get a little snappy when they're called unAmerican or traitors, usually citing free speech, difference of opinion etc... but when it comes to siding with our enemies, that's simply what I've come to expect from liberals.

[lars008-2009]

tuckerndfw -
have you got your head scarf on too tight today haji???

[lars008-2009]

when islam ceases to exist there will be world peace haji.....

islam is a violation of international law

islam practices slavery on non muslaims
islam practices aparthied on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices genocide on non muslims

all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity

[duffyn]

Fortunately Liberals ARE NOT defined by dogsoul....

[tuckerndfw]

Scouser, as you probably know, the majority of governments in the Middle East were installed by the US & UK.

Including David Gruen (aka "David Ben Gurion") when his terrorists formed a "government" on land that belonged to none of those who claimed it as a state, including the grantor, the U.N.

The U.N. had no lawful authority to grant land to "Jews" (atheists from Europe & Asia) or anyone else.

But, world "history" is written by the "winners" so it is understandable why so many Americans repeat Zionist propaganda (lies) as if it were factual.

Lars is an excellent example of a person who is completely ignorant of the facts. And is proud to demonstrate that ignorance on a repetitive, daily basis.

Typical Zionist and/or Bush supporter; they never allow facts or logic to interfere with their diatribes, lies or hysteria.

[notblue]

It will be great day for world peace when rational muslims finally rise up against and loudly voice there dissapproval of the cancer called radical Islam. The majority of conflicts on this earth would be over if the radicals would denounce violence against the innocents in the name of there twisted religion. The just won't accept the fact that the world will never revert back to there barbaric 6th century ideology they kill in the name of.

[tuckerndfw]

It is time for the "international community" to acknowledge the bible is a primary source and inspiration for terrorism and violence around the world and throughout history.

And, bible based organizations should be outlawed and/or their activities severely curtailed including the prohibition against teaching children that the bible myths are anything other than myths.

Bible based religions, Jew, Christian & Muslim, have outlived any positive purpose and have become a breeding ground for social misfits, violent miscreants and terrorists.

All religions based on Hebrew myths should be prohibited by law.

[grazinggoat]

CBS: Source: Iran Assembled Nuclear Devices
Two Uranium Enrichment Units Built In Underground Complex, Officials Say

Whoooooh boogieman steps in, with a nuke face. Of course all nuclear facilities (majority of them, worldwide, have devices assembled to produce fissile material, in order to put it in nuclear reactors and produce electricity...) Of course all of them have underground installations to protect the local population from radiation in case of unfortunate accident%u2026 SO WHAT'S NEW?

There is only one danger. Walking-Liar Bush and his trolleys are going to boogie you as they did for the war in Iraq. Saying Saddam had WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) and it was all LIES. Now they say Iran is assembling devices. Such a big threat! I%u2019m really frightened, AAAAAAAAAAAhhhhh...

One thing we must say: WALKING-LIAR: the American Population is now immune to your lies and we%u2019re not taking it anymore.

[lars008-2009]

sorry haji.... but all the UN nations voted Israel into existance, it is legal.....

does this guy know islam or does this guy know islam.....
Ali Sina, an ex-Muslim from Iran. He is the creator of Faithfreedom.org.
Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined. Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sina/why_i_left_islam.htm

[tuckerndfw]

lars,

I'm in complete agreement that ALL "religions" based on Hebrew myths should be eliminated. And, if not eliminated, relegated to the fiction section where they belong.

Jews, Christians and Muslims should not be allowed to practice their subversive activities openly or with public support.

[lars008-2009]

yes.... tuckerndfw
i saw that post..........

I DO NOT FEAR GOD............

I FEAR THOSE WHOM CLAIM TO SPEAK FOR GOD......

[tuckerndfw]

Lars,

Additionally, the U.N. has passed dozens of resolutions condemning Israel's activities, few, if any, have been corrected, so when is the US going to demand a "regime change" in Israel and a government that represents all the people in the region, including the Palestinian majority?

Israel fits the US description of a member of the "axis of evil" (willfully & flagrantly violates UN resolutions, preemptive attacks on her neighbors, tortures & murders civilians, has nukes, etc.), so why hasn't the US nuked Israel?

Hypocrisy seems to be a common trait shared by all Zionists and Bush supporters. It's right up there with their ignorance and dishonesty.

[grazinggoat]

tuckerndfw,
good luck, you are very optimistic ... all this theory of theocracy and deity should be reconsidered deeply. Reformed.

Improved evolution Darwin theory should be integrated into teaching, altogether with genetic biology should be taught to children in order to develop a newer generation of people on this earth.

Many attempts have been done to introduce innovations into these still religions with failure. Because everytime it was done with purpose of drawing the benefits to the an individual or to a group of people.

[scouser691]

Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world.
Lars008


Oh do tell Lars, what is your plan to eradicate Islam

[lars008-2009]

i'm sure you will list many examples of israel attacking first then..... israel has a muslim minister... does any muslim country have a jewish minister or a non muslim minister of any kind?

and all these countries practice aparthied on non muslims and torture and kill non muslim civilians.....

Afghanistan | Albania | Algeria | Azerbaijan | Bahrain | Bangladesh | Benin | Brunei | Burkina Faso | Cameroon | Chad | Comoros | Ctte d'Ivoire | Djibouti | Egypt | Gabon | Gambia | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | Guyana | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kuwait | Kyrgyz Republic | Lebanon | Libya | Malaysia | Maldives | Mali | Mauritania | Morocco | Mozambique | Niger | Nigeria | Oman | Pakistan | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Sierra Leone | Somalia | Sudan | Suriname | Syria | Tajikistan | Togo | Tunisia | Turkey | Turkmenistan | Uganda | United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan | Yemen |

[lars008-2009]

go ahead and ask this guy.....

Ali Sina, an ex-Muslim from Iran. He is the creator of Faithfreedom.org.
Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined. Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/s
ina/why_i_left_islam.htm

[scouser691]

Lar008, enjoy your little fantasy, the truth is there are millions of muslims who are as fanatical about their believes as you are about yours. (This really sums up the problem) Short of nuking the whole middle east and asia, you are never gonna eradicate Islam. However if you like to fantasize about it, go ahead we all need fantasies

[lars008-2009]

fascist nazi islam plans on eradicating non muslims..... but you knew that already.....

[dallison7]

To all the bed-wetters out there who see the boogie-man in every shadow... please listen.

George Bush has proven; if by nothing else, surely by his inability to master his native language, that he is the most ignorant world leader of modern times. Usually a person must have a measurable amount of reasoning ability to lead a nation.

With that thought in mind, please examine your fears. What you fear is that Iran will develop a nuclear bomb and drop that bomb on the United States.

Now note, if Iran develops that bomb you fear, it will be a small bomb by comparison to the nuclear arsenal the United States harbors. And, at best they will have one or two of such devices within the next several year.

Sooo, what we are to believe is that the leader of a nation, with some degree of reasoning ability, is going to drop his small bomb on the world's only superpower knowing full well that it will be answered by a thousand bombs, each a thousand times as powerful as his one bomb.

I think not. Now that we understand that truth, why, again I ask why are we seeing such a groundswell in the media indicating an attack on Iran?

I simply ask that you think about it.

[scouser691]

Your belief system will never rule the world. Live with it Lars

[lars008-2009]

nor will fascist nazi islam's haji.....

[scouser691]

Bravo, secular liberal democracy rocks

[tuckerndfw]

Lars,

Tariq Aziz was Saddam Hussein's Deputy Prime Minister.

Tariq Aziz is a Christian.

If you believe all those nations you listed "kill non-Muslim civilians," you are delusional. KSA (Saudi Arabia) has millions of western workers and I never heard about any of them being killed for being non-Muslim.

If the website you keep promoting is the source for your propaganda, I suggest you find a different one.

Your information is totally incorrect.

[scouser691]

Lars008 is singinrick lite

[book54552134]

Are the same 'sources' that gave us definative proof of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction?
Anyone who believes this tripe coming from these liars in the Bush Administration are either GOP loyalists who are self-delusional, or are extremely ignorant of how this Administration disseminates propaganda or are choosing to be extremely naive.

[grazinggoat]

...Continued
That religion similarly to Christianity or Judaism have eveloved the same way. Islam has allowed them to prosper and SURVIVE, because DEATH was more prominent and more probable than life prior to the adoption of those Religions...

Humans were a bunch of groups herding in the desert and killing each other because of the lack of natural resources. Tribes were preying on each other in order to survive in a flat, arid land, called the desert, unattended, unassisted by, and away from the interest of modern societies, the new Craddle of Humanism as we know it now. Away from the United Nations, where every human has been defined equal to the other. Of course muslims have looked into UN charter of rights, but United Nations have deceived the Muslim Countries so many times regarding Israel. No wonder their revival of radical Islam...

U understand now?

[grazinggoat]

lars008, you seem a real extremist. You are badly-intentioned doing so. You try to insult or intimidate a major fraction of the people of Earth, who represent nonetheless a 1/4 of the living individuals, being born muslim.

You have to understand that Islam-practice has allowed those people who were born into ignorance (like many others), to prosper and occupy a big chunk of the most suitable and habitable lands on Earth for Centuries. You are inviting them to leave a principle that proved successful into survival. That you have to understand, that McDonald's and cold Pepsi drinks, effective antibiotics, comfortable cars and ariplanes were not existing in the middle of the Desert, prior the last 20th century.
See continued...

[lars008-2009]

i guess you do not know about this muslim american then haji.....

American charged in alleged plot to assassinate President Bush
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/02/22/bush.plot.charges/index.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=torture+saudi arabia&btnG=Search

[lars008-2009]

you have to understand that their call to kill all non muslims goes back to the begining of fascist nazi islam.....

i am guessing the rest of the non muslim world will find that offensive and fight back..... like they did when fascist nazi germany tried the same thing......

[tuckerndfw]

Lars,

You are an ignorant extremist and as such are no different than those you attempt to vilify.

The primary difference is that your attempted vilification of Muslims is based on lies and nonsense. Your own attitude is evidenced by your extreme bigotry and ignorance.

[grazinggoat]

i guess you do not know about this muslim american then haji.....
Posted by lars008
-this is very well known and USA are protecting this Kingdom with all the power possible... because they are the watchdogs for the huge oil reservoir, so well needed in the western hemisphere, not for their love for Saudis...

[grazinggoat]

lars008,
Unfortunately all humans' hisotry is full of blood allover. The best proof is the latest massive killings and burnings that took place in the middle of last century (in the middle of Western Europe)

[lars008-2009]

btw..... that is the tactic of fascist nazi muslims....... to insult and intimidate.....

so tell it to the fascist nazi islamic muslims......

they are the ones that are trying to insult or intimidate a major fraction of the people of Earth, who represent nonetheless a 4/5 of the living individuals, being born non muslim.

sorry, you are not 1/4 of the population haji....